Influence of tDCS on Cortical Plasticity in Healthy Older Adults

Influence of Transcranial Direct-current Stimulation on Cortical Plasticity in Healthy Older Adults

Status

Withdrawn

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT01888055

Enrollment

Registered

2013-06-27

Start date

2013-05-31

Completion date

2017-12-31

Last updated

2021-05-14

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Healthy Older Adults

Keywords

Healthy older adults Cortical Plasticity, Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Brief summary

The aim of this study is to investigate whether the anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the primary motor cortex (M1) in healthy older adults leads to an increase in cortical plasticity (change in motor evoked potentials (MEP) in mV).

Interventions

DEVICEtranscranial direct current stimulation

DEVICEsham stimulation

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

50 Years to 80 Years

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

* right-handed according to the Oldfield Händigkeits inventory (lateralization index \>70)(1971) * no obvious cognitive impairment (MMSE\>26, Demtect\>13) * age between 50 and 80 years

Exclusion criteria

* Severe neurological / psychiatric or pre-existing internist conditions because additional cognitive deficits are expected * Epilepsy, epileptic seizure in medical history * Cognitive deficit (MMSE \<20) * Depressive episode (Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) \> 12) * intake of centrally active drugs \<3 months , particularly acetylcholinesterase inhibitors * Pregnancy * Pacemaker (contraindication for MRI) * Other metal parts in the body (contraindication for MRI)

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the primary motor cortex (M1) in healthy older adults	1 week	to investigate whether the anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the primary motor cortex (M1) in healthy older adults increases cortical plasticity (measured via motor evoked potentials)compared to sham stimulation

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Comparison of tDCS-induced changes on central cholinergic activity	1 week	to investigate weather anodal transcranial direct-current stimulation affect central cholinergic activity (measured via a TMS-protocol) in healthy older adults compared to sham stimulation
Comparison of tDCS-induced changes in the learning success	1 week	tDCS-induced changes on learning success (performance in a motor learning paradigm in healthy older adults after tDCS vs. sham)
MR elastography	1 week	Comparison of viscoelastic parameters in cerebral MR elastography in healthy older adults
genetic polymorphism, ApoE4	once	optional assessment of genetic Apo4 epsilon status for assessment of differences in cortical plasticity and elasticity between Apo4 epsilon positive and negative participants

Countries

Germany

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026